Efforts continue to provide assistance to farmers and ranchers affected by this year’s widespread and devastating drought. A bipartisan group of farm state Senators is urging the USDA Farm Service Agency to fill a gap in coverage under ELAP or the Emergency Assistance for Livestock program. South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association President Eric Jennings says in September USDA announced ELAP assistance for the cost of transporting feed to livestock, but it doesn’t pay when producers move livestock to feed.

He says this is a big loophole that needs to be fixed because it impacts a large percentage of cattle producers in drought areas.

Jennings says the action is appreciated by cattle producers and he’s optimistic about FSA making the change on ELAP and expediting payments.